Understanding how to effectively address student alcohol use, especially the increasingly dangerous trends associated with binge drinking, has challenged virtually every educational institution across the country, including the University of Delaware.

Delaware Colors Day is being held as the Blue Hens football team opens the 2012 season, hosting West Chester University in a game under the lights at Delaware Stadium on Aug. 30. Game time for the season opener is 7:30 p.m.

Also, the University Bookstore is participating by offering a College Colors Day special in the cafe. On Thursday, Aug. 30, and on Friday, Aug. 31, anyone who wears UD's blue and gold into the cafe will receive a venti iced coffee or tea for $1.

As part of Delaware Colors Day, UD is participating in the inaugural "Pledge Your Allegiance for College Colors Day" spirit competition and is seeking fan support through online balloting to help win the College Colors Spirit Cup and $10,000 toward the general scholarship fund.

The website-based rivalry competition, which includes 165 participating colleges and universities and is an element of this year’s 2012 College Colors Day celebration, is live now and will run through the entire month leading up to College Colors Day on Aug. 31. Throughout the competition, standings will be tracked nationally, as well as by conference.

College Colors Day is an annual celebration dedicated to promoting the traditions and spirit that embody the college experience by encouraging fans across America to wear their favorite college or university apparel.

The West Chester clash is one of seven home games this season, with UD hosting Delaware State University on Sept. 8, Bucknell University on Sept. 15, the University of Maine on Oct. 6, the University of Rhode Island on Oct. 20, Towson University on Nov. 3 and Villanova University on Nov. 17.